Worship Watch

Purpose
The purpose of the Worship Watch program is to encourage the free exchange of information regarding crime trends, crime prevention techniques and emergency preparedness between the Sheriff's Office and the Faith Community.
Mission

We also aim to reduce crime and the fear of crime in houses of worship and areas frequented by the faith community as well as provide for emergency preparedness partnership initiatives. We provide education and partnership opportunities to our faith community in an effort to recognize crime risks, train them to accurately report crimes, and be better prepared in the event of an emergency.
Crime Facts

Reducing Opportunity for Crime
Three basic elements are needed for a crime to occur:

Ability to commit the crime

Criminal desire

Opportunity to commit the crime

If we reduce opportunities for crime and make crime more difficult to
commit, we can significantly reduce the risk and severity of crime at
our faith community facilities and areas frequented.
Emergency Preparedness

Community Support
Historically, the faith community has played an active role in various
means of community support and response during crisis situations. This
level of involvement is a nationwide trend and 1 with which the Hanover
community is very familiar. Worship Watch provides opportunities for
preparedness and response education, networking and cataloging resources
and understanding your role in support of community responses in crisis
situations.
Community Connection
Program Details
Neighborhood Watch and our Business Watch programs, similar in nature,
operate within defined geographic areas, a neighborhood or site
location. Worship Watch combines site facility benefits and expands
partnership opportunities with our community by transcending borders
generally defined by a neighborhood or business location to all areas
commonly frequented by members of the faith community. Read our flyer (PDF) for more information.

Membership Benefits
You can expect:

Designated Sheriff’s Office personnel ready to serve you.

Electronic communications keeping you up to date on community crime trends.

Regular meetings designed to further our partnership with you.

Ability
to participate in an emergency response resource catalog with the
purpose of networking resources in a community time of need.

Materials and resources to educate your faith community on areas of public safety and security.

Information on our facility security assessment program.

An opportunity to further your response in support of those you serve.

Worship
Watch stickers to be posted in a conspicuous place signifying your
participation in the program and sending a visible message to would-be
criminals.

Organization
Worship Watch is modeled after our highly successful Neighborhood Watch
and Business Watch programs. Worship watches are organized by
geographical areas defined by the faith community. Watch activities are
facilitated by a worship watch coordinator who acts as a liaison between
the Sheriff's Office and the faith community.

Participation
The Sheriff's Office crime prevention unit offers programs on personal
safety as well as programs for home and business security. Call us at
804-365-6110 to find out more or to schedule a program for your group.